Toward a New Generation of Superplastics

Scientists are reporting an in-depth validation of the discovery of the world's first mass producible, low-cost, organoclays for plastics. The powdered material, made from natural clay, would be a safer, more environmentally friendly replacement for the compound widely used to make plastics nanocomposites.

would not exist.

However, quaternary amine organoclays are difficult to produce because of the health and environmental risks associated with quaternary amines, as well as the need to manufacture them in small batches. These and other disadvantages, including high cost, limit use of the materials.

The new organoclay uses resorcinol diphenyl phosphate (which is normally a flame retardant), to achieve mass producible organoclays which can be made in continuous processing. In addition these organoclays are cheaper, generate less dust, and are thermostable to much higher temperatures (beyond 600 degrees Fahrenheit). This clay has also been proven to be superior for flame retardance applications. In addition, unlike most quaternary amine based organoclays, it works well in styrene plastics, one of the most widely used kinds of plastic.

Journal Reference:

1. Seongchan Pack, Takashi Kashiwagi, Changhong Cao, Chad S. Korach, Menachem Lewin, Miriam H. Rafailovich. Role of Surface Interactions in the Synergizing Polymer/Clay Flame Retardant Properties. Macromolecules, 2010; 43 (12): 5338 DOI: 10.1021/ma100669g

Courtesy: ScienceDaily